Sales of digital albums pass 100 million in the UK

Sales of digital albums in the UK have passed the 100 million mark, according to information issued by the Official Charts Company.

The growing popularity of digital music downloads, through services like Amazon and iTunes, is clearly demonstrated by sales in the UK surpassing the 100 million mark, the Daily Telegraph reports. Digital releases now account for more than a third (just over 34%) of the total albums market. CDs, however, remain the most popular format.

However, the growth in digital sales suggests that that the sales trend will continue to move towards digital, according to data summarized by The Scotsman. Two years ago UK digital sales were only 50 million.

The most downloaded albums are Adele's album "21", followed by Ed Sheeran's record "+". Both of these albums have sold more than 250,000 copies online

The chief executive the UK record industry's trade association (the BPI), Geoff Taylor, is quoted by the BBC as saying "Sales of digital albums are surging ahead as British consumers embrace the convenience, value and choice offered by online services. As our athletes compete against the best in the world, British artists have taken the gold and silver positions in the best-selling digital artist albums of all time, and six places in the top 10."

The top 10 best-selling digital albums of all time in the UK are:

1. 21- Adele

2. +- Ed Sheeran

3. The Fame - Lady Gaga

4. Only By The Night - Kings of Leon

5. Loud- Rihanna

6. Lungs - Florence + the Machine

7. Mylo Xyloto - Coldplay

8. Sigh No more - Mumford & Sons

9. The Defamation of Strickland Banks - Plan B

10. Doo-Wops & Hooligans - Bruno Mars

In the first week that digital album sales were recorded in 2006, Music Week notes, the No.1 was This New Day by Embrace.